Another Red House Christmas

Gorgeous images of Red House's celebrations of Christmas again this year.  They really know how to do it up in the spirit of William Morris!

Images from last year

A volunteer prepares to green the house.

Gingerbread Brother/Sisterhood...who could this be?

Father Christmas carries old-fashioned wooden toys in  his sack.

The tree is bedecked with paper birds, their designs taken directly from the painted glass windows of the house.

 This year, yesterday, there was a power outage at Red House, so they lit candles during the celebration instead.

Red House's incredible Father Christmas.

If you live in the area, please go visit Red House for Christmas for me!

And if, like me, you live nowhere near, follow the Red House page on Facebook for many more goodies like this!

Trellis in Hysteria

While watching a period film tonight, Hysteria, a movie about...well...the amusing Victorian origin of the vibrator....I noticed a William Morris wallpaper being used in the dining room.

And it's not a commonly seen paper.

William Morris' "Trellis" design has always struck me as almost modern in its geometric background and bold colors.  It's fascinating to see it used in such a vivid colorway in a full room.

A Tangle of Pre-Raphaelite Rapunzels

Stumbling through Tumblr, I came across a post sharing early concept art from Disney's Tangled.  The following images fascinated me, as the faces are a little cartoony, but the color-scheme and overall "feel" are so very Pre-Raphaelite.  The second image especially took my breath away.

James Christensen "Once Upon a Time"

Today at the library I stumbled onto a Pre-Raphaelite in an unexpected place.  A book came across my desk to fill a hold that intrigued me.  It was about the artist James Christensen, someone whose work I had seen in passing but knew little about.  And as I flipped through the book, I was started to see a familiar face in one of the first images.

There she is, unmistakably, the Lady of Shalott as rendered by Waterhouse, complete with her gold and white checkered arm band and simple silver circlet in her hair.  The idea of her keeping company with this motley group of whimsical characters brought a delighted tickle to my imagination..  The artwork is entitled "Once Upon a Time."

Edited to add:  I was so engrossed in discovering the Lady in this artwork, I totally missed another homage.  Guarding the fair maiden of Shalott is a knight whose visage appears repeatedly in my dear Neddy's art.  Edward Burne-Jones loved to paint this deliciously dark blue-black gothic armor with red sashes.

I just love the idea of a Burne-Jones knight standing guard behind a Waterhouse Lady of Shalott. 

Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood Artist Salon 2012

The Pre-Raphaelite Artist Salon at the Great Dickens Faire has announced their tableaux this year for the next five weekends.  

Date Tableau Artist
Friday, Nov. 23 Circe Waterhouse
Saturday, Nov. 24 The Annunciation Rossetti
Sunday, Nov. 25 Midsummer Moore
Saturday, Dec. 1 Ophelia Waterhouse
Sunday, Dec. 2 Beguiling of Merlin Burne-Jones
Saturday, Dec. 8 St. George Burne-Jones
Sunday, Dec. 9 St. George Burne-Jones
Saturday, Dec. 15 Midsummer Moore
Sunday, Dec. 16 Monna Vanna Rossetti
Saturday, Dec. 22 Circe Waterhouse
Sunday, Dec. 23 Ophelia Waterhouse

 

Les Misérables of Shalott

This new image Vogue ran of the cast from the movie Les Misérables is so very Pre-Raphaelite.

Also, WAG Screen received their 1500 page likes on Facebook, and so have posted the entire film of the Lady of Shalott online to enjoy.

 

The Bed at Kelmscott - Video

The Tate has a new video for the Victorian Avante-Garde exhibition.  This one is perhaps my favorite, featuring an in-depth look at William Morris' bed from Kelmscott. 

I recommend you watch!

I never knew Jane Morris signed the quilt!